Africa: Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority cancels Emirates Airline Daily Flights to Lagos and restricts them to Abuja as it Withdraws Approval of Winter Schedule
It seems the storm between UAE and Nigeria is not yet over. Emirates Abuja Flights will now be restricted to once a week only on Thursdays.
Though reasons weren’t given for this but speculations are high that it might not be unrelated to Air Peace UAE operations which are yet to start. Nigeria had been operating on reciprocity in such matters.
According to Thisday Newspapers UAE has refused to approve the frequency requested by Air Peace. The Thisday reports states “a letter seen by THISDAY that was addressed to Air Peace on the matter stated: “Greetings from Sharjah Airport. This has reference to your earlier request that we have received from your side to resume scheduled operations into Sharjah Airport for the winter season W21/22.
“Kindly note that the proposed timings were coordinated with the various stakeholders at Sharjah Airport, despite the terminal congestion and various challenges that will be faced, and with the best intentions we kept in mind our long business relationship we enjoy with Air Peace.
“As such we are pleased to propose the following timings: Once weekly flight every Thursday (day 4) with arrival time at Sharjah to be STA 01:00 UTC, and departure time from Sharjah will be STD 05:00 UTC.
“We will be looking closely in the near future for any potential opportunities for Air Peace for the upcoming summer season S22.”
Just few days after it resumed flight operations into Nigeria following a protracted COVID19 protocol row with the Federal Government, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), decided to withdraw the Ministerial approval given to Emirates Airlines’ for its winter schedule.
According to a letter dated 9 December 2021, with reference number NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/329, signed by the Director General, Captain Musa Nuhu and addressed to the Country Manager, Emirates Airlines, Nigeria, the NCAA stated that the withdrawal becomes effective on Sunday 12 December, 2021 at 2300h.
The NCAA said: “I wish to inform you of the withdrawal of the approval granted to Emirates Airlines Winter schedule. This approval was conveyed via a letter with reference number: FMA/ATMD/501/C.104/XV/536 dated 1st December 2021. This withdrawal becomes effective on Sunday 12th December, 2021 at 2300z.
“Please kindly note, henceforth, Emirates Airlines is granted approval to operate only one weekly passenger frequency to Abuja on Thursdays.”
The Middle East Carrier which just resumed its operation into the country after over 7 months due to COVID protocol row with the federal government, will now operate only one weekly flight as opposed to its daily schedule. Abuja is the Capital City of Nigeria while Lagos is the Commercial City. Emirates Airline Operates Double daily Flights from Lagos and daily from Abuja a total of 21 Flights in a week.
Emirates in its response to the cancellation of its winter schedule operating by the Nigeria government said: “Following the recent withdrawal of our flight approvals by the Federal Government of Nigeria, our flights DXB-LOS (EK783), LOS-DXB (EK784), DXB-ABV (EK785) and ABV-DXB (EK786) from Monday 13th December 2021, have been cancelled until further notice.
“Flights 783/784 DXB-LOS-DXB and 785/786 DXB-ABV-DXB will however operate as scheduled on both 11th and 12th of December 2021.
“We hope to revert to you as soon as possible, regarding the status of our future flights.
For passengers affected kindly apply re-booking options provided below
Source: ATQNews
